Story & Photos by Kay Crane…
OK, I’ll admit it: I’m a summer person, a relative rarity here in Western Colorado. I’m a gardener, not a skier.
When the autumn air takes on a chill and Jack Frost is nipping at my nose, I hole up in my den to wait it out. Of course I take some things with me to tide me over until spring. Naturally my houseplants are the first to be invited back, and by now, they’re comfortably ensconced on their windowsills and tabletops. That helps.
But I need more, so I begin to look around the house for those organic and natural items that put me in mind of the outdoors and give me that sense of comfort I’m looking for. I’m a bit of a collector but not really into the idea of elaborate craft projects.
As I wander around, I find feathers, rocks (painted or otherwise), and wooden items like vases and carved animals. Some gourds catch my eye. What is more organic than the seductively curved and carved gourd?
Years ago a friend gave me a heart-shaped rock. It was the beginning of a growing collection. Though I never go out looking for a heart rock, they often seem to appear as I wander through canyons or explore a dry wash or stream bed; they almost jump out of the jumble of their more ordinary cousins. Now there are quite a few of them on my back porch, so I gather them up and put them in a pinecone basket. I feel better already.
As I begin to organize my organic finds and place them strategically around the house, I’m comforted by their presence and by how these disparate objects combine comfortably with one another to create such a pleasing effect.
Not everyone collects like this, and if you’re one of those who don’t, a stroll through some downtown shops will yield untold natural treasures. Unique Expressions has some lovely mobiles, light and airy with hundreds of butterflies or aspen leaves fluttering with every passing breeze.
Skeletal leaves, more carved gourds, stone flower vases, and jewelry mimicking Mother Nature could certainly get me through the winter (especially the jewelry). Hobby Lobby and Michaels have a wealth of dried and artificial flowers, leaves and wreaths, not to mention rocks and metallic hangings.
Open your mind to the possibility of bringing nature inside for the winter. Whether you do it with whimsy or beauty, your home will offer comfort through the winter while we wait for spring to arrive once more. ***
To see more by Kay, visit www.kaycraneart.com
This and other select Grand Valley Magazine stories on this site are part of our GV Classics Collection. This story was featured in the November 2008 issue of Grand Valley Magazine (c) 2008.